Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 12:30 amPosts: 8873Location: The carrefour of ignorance is bliss & knowledge is power.
Religion: The One with All the Marks.

Columbus Day gets a bad rap these days. It's not so much about the man as about what he put in motion. The original – that is, 1892 – recognition of the day was meant to be this…

On that day let the people, so far as possible, cease from toil and devote themselves to such exercises as may best express honor to the discoverer and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life.

Columbus stood in his age as the pioneer of progress and enlightenment. The system of universal education is in our age the most prominent and salutary feature of the spirit of enlightenment, and it is peculiarly appropriate that the schools be made by the people the center of the day's demonstration. Let the national flag float over every schoolhouse in the country and the exercises be such as shall impress upon our youth the patriotic duties of American citizenship.

In the churches and in the other places of assembly of the people let there be expressions of gratitude to Divine Providence for the devout faith of the discoverer and for the divine care and guidance which has directed our history and so abundantly blessed our people.

What’s interesting is that in Mexico, a nation in which the native/European mestizo population looks down on those of pure European descent, “Christobal Colón” is still celebrated. Here, he’s a racist, genocidal, incompetent leader with zero navigational skills. Go figure.

_________________"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." --Douglas Adams

What’s interesting is that in Mexico, a nation in which the native/European mestizo population looks down on those of pure European descent, “Christobal Colón” is still celebrated. Here, he’s a racist, genocidal, incompetent leader with zero navigational skills. Go figure.

Zero navigational skills? The problem wasn't that he didn't know how to navigate, the problem is that he underestimated the circumference of the Earth and didn't know there was a whole other continent between Europe and Asia on the eastern side of the continent. In a way, Columbus was lucky, if he was correct that there was no land between Europe and Asia, his underestimation of the circumference of the Earth would have resulted in his crew starving to death before they reached the East Indies.

Actually, Jack3, it was just the opposite. My point was that, in Mexico, where it is politically and socially preferable to have mixed native/European heritage, Columbus is still celebrated as the discoverer of the North American continent (Vinland, forgotten to history 500 years ago, is not relevant to the discussion at this point). My derisive description of Columbus was a sarcastic repetition of the mantra of revisionist historians, a class of people for whom I have no use.

_________________"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." --Douglas Adams

Actually, Jack3, it was just the opposite. My point was that, in Mexico, where it is politically and socially preferable to have mixed native/European heritage, Columbus is still celebrated as the discoverer of the North American continent (Vinland, forgotten to history 500 years ago, is not relevant to the discussion at this point). My derisive description of Columbus was a sarcastic repetition of the mantra of revisionist historians, a class of people for whom I have no use.

Well, some islands near the continent. With touchdowns in Central and South America. Let's not get into tectonic plate arguments.

And, let's not forget the European rapes of Indian women is part of the narrative. A part that is true, unfortunately; but a part that has somehow been transposed and time-travelled into contemporary anti-Western rhetoric and belief. And, it is pretty clear that the Columbian voyages with their crews were murderous and rapist and reprehensible in the extreme. However, subsequent waves of explorers and immigrants were, of course, accompanied by priests. And, in general, the Church served as a counterweight and as a advocate for humane treatment of the indigenous peoples.

_________________Where’er the Catholic sun doth shine,There’s music and laughter and good red wine.At least I’ve always found it so.Benedicamus Domino!~Hilaire Belloc

Actually, Jack3, it was just the opposite. My point was that, in Mexico, where it is politically and socially preferable to have mixed native/European heritage, Columbus is still celebrated as the discoverer of the North American continent (Vinland, forgotten to history 500 years ago, is not relevant to the discussion at this point). My derisive description of Columbus was a sarcastic repetition of the mantra of revisionist historians, a class of people for whom I have no use.

That's because the rest of the world is always eager to celebrate. Doesn't matter what the occasion, or whether or not it's something they even believe in, or agree with. It's only in this country that we get our knickers in a wad about the least little thing.

i've never celebrated it... nor have i ever got off work because of it to the best of my recollection...we got some crazy days off when i taught school (though they were "in-service" days , so technically not off... but the kids weren't there so it was truly a vacation day), but i don't think columbus day was one of them

_________________All Marian devotion begins with Christ,is centered on Christ,and ends with Christ.As Mary brought Jesus to us,so shall She bring us to Jesus!

...your brain has been infiltrated by gkc's thread .. quick, do a bleach rinse

GKC? That is a fate worse than breath.

But, since Columbus OH is no longer celebrating Columbus Day, another skirmish in the culture wars has been lost. Given that decision, I propose that the city change its name to Guevaraville. One inhumane discoverer whose accomplishments resulted in, say, the USA; being replaced by one psychopathic mass murderer whose accomplishments resulted in, say, Venezuela ... and gays being lined up and shot ... but the t-shirts are easier to get.

_________________Where’er the Catholic sun doth shine,There’s music and laughter and good red wine.At least I’ve always found it so.Benedicamus Domino!~Hilaire Belloc

Semper Fi!

Last edited by Highlander on Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

Actually, Jack3, it was just the opposite. My point was that, in Mexico, where it is politically and socially preferable to have mixed native/European heritage, Columbus is still celebrated as the discoverer of the North American continent (Vinland, forgotten to history 500 years ago, is not relevant to the discussion at this point). My derisive description of Columbus was a sarcastic repetition of the mantra of revisionist historians, a class of people for whom I have no use.

But no one has ever accused Columbus of having 'bad navigational skills' or suggested that the reason why he wound up in the Americas instead of the West Indies was a result of bad navigation.

Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 12:30 amPosts: 8873Location: The carrefour of ignorance is bliss & knowledge is power.
Religion: The One with All the Marks.

faithfulservant wrote:

i've never celebrated it... nor have i ever got off work because of it to the best of my recollection...we got some crazy days off when i taught school (though they were "in-service" days , so technically not off... but the kids weren't there so it was truly a vacation day), but i don't think columbus day was one of them

Working in the private sector there are all sorts of school "holidays" and actual holidays that I still have to work. On Veterans Day (November 11) I often asked our kids, "How come I am the only veteran in this house, but I'm the only one that has to work on Veterans Day?"

_________________Formerly: Greg.

- I try to have a little something for everybody in my posts. If you notice a spelling, grammar, or punctuation error... well... I put that in for you.

- I remember a lot of things. (Some of which actually happened.)

- Even the best of men may be born in times unsuited to their virtues.